About the Directory

Building Local Information Support to Ontario Newcomers project

BLISON Project

This online directory was the result of a project led by InformOntario, the association of community information centres and practitioners across Ontario, with funding through the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Partnership Program. The project as a whole aims to build information support to newcomers in Ontario communities by strengthening collaboration at the local level between service providers in the community information and immigrant support sectors.

Pilot Communities

Waterloo Region is one of two pilot communities in which a local community information service provider has engaged immigrant support sector service providers to collaborate on a project to develop a community resource. Through this process, three local community information resources will be developed. The intention is to create resources that are both meaningful and sustainable for our local community.

Immigrant Supports Directory - Waterloo Region's Information Resource

The resource created by the Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region and local members of an advisory group was this online searchable directory of services and programs in Waterloo Region, that includes a customized list of categories and top of mind resources that were identified as particularly top of mind for newcomers by the immigrant support service provider members of the advisory committee.

More about InformOntario

InformOntario’s objective is to build capacity for sustainable local information management practices working with both community information and immigrant support sectors. This is being done by synthesizing what is learned in the pilot communities into online training courses and toolkits of smart practices. For more information about the project and what is being done in the other pilot community (York Region), visit learning.informontario.on.ca

The Waterloo Region Immigrant Supports Directorywas developed by the Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region with input from a community advisory group made up of Waterloo Region based immigrant support support service providers. The information is refreshed weekly from the Waterloo Region Community Information Database which is maintained according established standards of practice which include daily scanning all print and electronic newspapers in the Region, ongoing data changes as new information is available as well as an annual formal update with each organization listed in the database.

The Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region

The Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region, a program established by the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo in 1971. Dedicated to keeping up-to-date information on thousands of community programs, services and organizations within the Region of Waterloo, this information is shared widely to assist individuals, leaders and organizations with problem solving, planning and decision making.
Information Services provided through the Resource Centre on the 3rd floor of 151 Frederick Street in Kitchener include a Community Information Line where anyone can call to answers to any question they may have about Waterloo Region. In addition to this valuable service community information resources are published in print and electronic formats. These include directories and resources such as The Blue Book Directory of Community Services, the Basic Needs Guide and various pamphlets on community resources, services and activities throughout Waterloo Region. For more information, visit waterlooregion.org or call the Community Information Info line at 519-579-3800/ 1-877-579-3859

Information Management Practices

The Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo/Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region is a member of InformOntario, InformCanada and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). We follow established standards of practice for information services and information management. The Waterloo Region Community Information Database contains approximately 2,600 services and programs available to residents in Waterloo Region and is maintained by trained, experienced staff to ensure the accuracy and quality of the information that is maintained to support the Centre’s information services.

Quick Search Categories

How to Use the Quick Search Categories
The purpose of the category definitions search is to present a list of the top services and programs that will likely prove useful to newcomers. In order to use this feature, select a category such as "Children and Youth" by checking the check box next to the category name. In order to see all top results in the category, do not enter any other search criteria, and click Search. A list of the top results for this area that were compiled by the Community Information Centre with the help of the community advisory groups will be displayed.

Category Definitions

Canadian Law/Legal System:
Programs and services that provide legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals who need assistance in routine legal matters in areas such as immigration/naturalization, family law or housing. Also included are crime prevention and safety programs, court and police resources.

Children and Youth
Programs and services that provide specific benefit to children and youth such as recreation programs, tutoring, homework help and school age programs, drop in centres for youth, school breakfast programs and funding for school related supplies.

Culture:
Programs and services and events that promote and support ethnocultural and faith-based identities and cultural heritage in the community.

Disabilities:
Support services, programs and financial supports for individuals who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations that affect their ability to engage in one or more major life activities.

Education and Learning:
Formal or community-based educational programs designed for all ages and abilities; this includes lifelong learning, language classes, and instructional services that are individualized or specialized to meet the specific needs and interests of learners.

Employment:
Programs and services that provide employment opportunities for people who are searching for jobs and assist people who are able and willing to work by helping them prepare for, find, secure and retain suitable employment.

Family Supports:
Specific supports for families with young children such as baby and maternity clothing, toy loaning libraries and clothing provision services.

Financial:
General financial assistance programs and services such as social assistance and income support programs.

Health Services
Programs and services whose primary purpose is to help individuals and families achieve and maintain physical well-being; evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or require immunizations; emergency medical services and supports as well as financial assistance related to health and medical needs

Housing and Housing Supports
Programs and services that seek to meet the basic shelter needs of the community by providing temporary shelter for people who are in emergency situations or who have newly immigrated, housing location assistance and a variety of housing alternatives.

Immigration and Settlement:
Programs and services that support the continuum of activities that a new immigrant/refugee goes through upon arrival in a new country. These programs and services include support for newly arrived newcomers and refugees, assistance with citizenship, translation, language training and language assessment, and community organizations that connect and support immigrants in their neighbourhoods and communities.

Mental Health
Programs and services related to mental health such as community mental health agencies and counselling resources in the community.

Recreation
Programs and services that provide access to a variety of pursuits for people who want to make constructive and satisfying use of their free time. Included are programs that provide facilities, equipment, supplies, coaching and/or instruction and financial assistance that allow individuals to participate in or enjoy the recreational, artistic, cultural or volunteer activities of their choice

Seniors
Programs and services that provide support to seniors, such as assistive device programs, transportation, respite care and adult day programs

Sexual Health and Supports:
Programs and supports related to sexuality, reproductive health and education, pregnancy testing and sexual health, including mutual support groups whose members or family members are gays, lesbians, bisexual,transgendered/intersex individuals and/or gender questioning youth.

Socialization and Integration
Programs and services developed and staffed by former refugees and immigrants that help newly arrived people from their previous country or region of residence begin a new life in Canada. Mutual assistance associations address the unique cultural needs of the specific immigrant/refugee population they serve and provide a variety of services including cultural adjustment support, English language instruction, interpretation/translation services, housing and employment assistance, transportation, clothing and furniture, as needed, small business development assistance and help in accessing other social services.

Transportation
Programs and services that provide for the basic transportation needs of the community such as public transit, out of town transportation, car and bike shares.